Men's Tennis: 8 Spanish players who have won Grand Slams

# Juan Carlos Ferrero

Juan Carlos Ferrero - 2nd Spaniard to be ranked ATP World Number 1

Nicknamed 'Mosquito' for his thin frame and lightning quick reflexes, Juan Carlos Ferrero came to prominence in 1999 when he won 4 titles including the Mallorcan Open in what was only his 5th tournament since turning professional. His exploits won him the ATP Newcomer of the Year award.

A string of good performances in 2000 saw him make it to the top-20 of the ATP rankings in the year 2000. That year, he won 2 crucial Davis Cup rubbers against Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt to hand Spain its very first Davis Cup trophy beating Australia 3-1 in the final.

In 2001, he captured his first Masters trophy in Rome beating 3-time Roland Garros winner Gustavo Kuerten in 5 sets. 2003 was his best year as he won the French Open - his only Grand Slam triumph. He was also a runner-up at the US Open that year.

Post his run to the US Open final, he became the 2nd Spaniard to be ranked World Number 1 by ATP. He is Spain's second most successful Davis Cup player with 3 title wins - behind only Nadal's tally of 4 wins.

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# Manuel Santana

Manuel Santana - Spain's very first tennis superstar-

The story of Manuel Santana is truly inspirational. Having honed his tennis skills by working as a ball boy, Santana was Spain's very first tennis superstar and was the first Spanish player to cross the Grand Slam hurdle. A 2-time French Open winner in 1961 and 1964, Santana excelled across all courts though he on numerous occasions disliked playing on grass.

He won the US Open in 1965 and the following year much to the surprise of all, he won the Wimbledon Championships - becoming the first Spaniard to do so. It was only 40 years later, that the feat would be emulated by another Spaniard. In 1968, he won the Gold medal in the Olympic Games although tennis was only a demonstration sport back then.

Post retirement, Santana has had numerous stints as coach of the Spanish Davis Cup Team and presently serves as the Director of the Madrid Masters tournament.